Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Policing Gerry Kelly MLA has described the
appearance of advertisements seeking people to join the new Policing
Board as 'grossly premature'.

Mr Kelly said:

`` The appearance of these advertisements in the Belfast Telegraph
seeking independent members for the policing is to say the least
premature. Sinn Fein could not possibly suggest that people should
apply for these positions. We do not yet know whether we are to see a
policing service or a continuation of the failures of the past in this
field.

``Up to this point the British Government have not bridged the gap, in
fact they have not even reached the base line of Patten. We cannot
and will not be part of encouraging a perpetuation of the sectarian
policing of the past.

`` It is interesting to note that the advertisements were not placed in
the nationalist press and many will perceive this as a worrying
indicator of future intentions.''